Condensing apparatus



. I. S. MERRELL.

CONDENSING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN.2,1917.

1 503,80 Patented Jan. 17,1922.

2 SHtEI'SSHEET l.

HTTOANE 3 -l. S. MERRELL.

CONDENSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.2. 1917.

1 403 06 Patented Ja n. 17, 1922.

2 SHHEI'SSHEET 2.

27 i: .5 l in v I 7 1 2a 27 as I /2 ,e/ 73 22 75 2 4/ Es a a 7 w pUNITED STATES PA-TENT OFFICE.

IRVING S. MERRELL, 'OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNOR TO MERRELL-SOULE COMPANY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK,

oonnnnsmo APPARATUS.

I Patented Jan. 1'7, 1922.

Original application filed October 30, 1916, Serial No. 128,606. Dividedand this application filed January 2, 1917. Serial No. 140,091.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, IRVING S. MERRELL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica,

'and resident of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State ofNew York, have invented new and useful Improvements in CondensingApparatus, of which the following, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to the production of food products, particularlymilk produots, and to a new'and improved process and apparatus forcarrying out said process in the production of such products and is adivision of my co-pending application, Serial No. 128,606, filed October30, 1916.

I have discovered that it is possible to make a new and improvedcondensed milk mat rial, such as juices, saps, pulps; ex-

tracts, and including alsoother organic liquids, particularlysusceptible to injury when subjected to. relatively high'temperaturesfor considerable periods of time, such as eggs, medicaments, or activeorganisms, such as yeast, diastase, pepsin, etc.

The process discovered by me is a continous one and involves acentrifugallyproduced flowing layer of milk moving over a heated surfacein a high vacuum. By high vacuum is intended a vacuum of upwards of 18"of mercury, the vacuum used in practi'ce being from 23? to '26" ofmercury, corresponding to a milk vaporizing temperature of 144 to 120.The centrifugal force, as for instance of a rotary beater, constantlytends to arrange the heaviest parts of the,

from the wall to make place for the nonvaporized heavier portion, thusconstantly arranging the light vapor-containing liquid nearer the centerof the beater where its vapor may escape most readily, and constantlyarranging the non-vaporized liquid nearest the heated the greatest heat.

By reason of this action, bubbles can remain only momentarily in contactwith the heated surface. The moment any of the hquid bo ls, it isimmediately displaced by the heavier non-boiling liquid and movedinwardly, and the vapor, separated from the liqu d by the centrifugalaction of th beater, is discharged, while the liquid col. tam ng thesolids is thrown back into the movmg layer of milk.

This automatic action of the centrifugal force constantly moving thecooler portions of the liquid into contact with the heated wall andconstantly withdrawing the boilmg portion with its bubbles andcontinuously heating all portions of the milk not in contact with theheated surface, by transfer surfacegwhere it receives and eliminatesscorching of the material which occurs when bubbles remain in contactwith the heating surface.

The milk or other liquid may be introduced at the upper portion of avertically disposed cylindrical chamber and allowed to flow downwardlyalong the interior walls of the chamber and be'discharged at the bottominto a tank under substantially the same vacuum as the cylinder.

During its passage through the cylindrical chamber,lthe layer of milk isat all times in contact with the heated surface and is uniformlysubjected to the heat, whereby the evaporation and condensation isuniform and is effected during the relatively short period of timeconsumed by the passage of the milk through the chamber, approxi: matelya minute and a quarter to condense skim milk 3 or 4. to 1 in theparticular size of apparatus hereinafter described. When themechanically forced flowing layer of. milk reaches the vaporizingtemperature, it is not .cooled by, or its temperature averaged with, aconstantly replenished adjacent body of milk of different temperature.All of the liquid passing through the chamber is continuously anduniformly hosted 30 .temperature reduce to a minimum any chamber. e

by contact with the heated wall and by the transfer of heat from thecentrifugally moving bubbles. i

In the specific disclosure of this applica-. tion, the milk travelsspirally downward upon'the interior surface of aheated cylmder insubstantially the form of a film and is preferably retarded somewhatduring the early stages of its progress down the'cylindrical wall sothat the milk which'flows most rapidly 'in its thin entering state issubjected to contact with the heated wall for a somewhat longer periodof time than 1t would be ifallowed to freelyflow along the wall of thecylinder, whereby the heat of the cylindrical wall is applied for thegreatest length of time to the .thin entering milk which can-bestwithstand the action of the heat, due to the high proportion of itsliquid constituents, the thicker condensed milk approaching the bottomof the chamber bemg allowed to freely flow down the \wall of thecylinder and escape from the bottom of the The mechanical movement ofthe milkcontinues to subject it uniformly to the vaporizing temperatureas the viscosityincreases. The briefness of the time during which themilk is subjected to the vaporizing temperature and the uniformity ofsubjection to this change in the constituents, and by reason of this theproduct produced has substantially theflavor of the original milk and issusceptible of preservation without appreciable change for long periodsof time.

- Further, it is found that condensed milk produced by the processherein is less viscid for the same percentage of solids than knowncondensed milk, permitting a considerably greater degree of condensationwithout relative variance of he liquid condition or increase ofviscidity. This feature, in addition to its being a marked improvementin condensed milk as a product, is of great importance in desiccation ofpreconcentrated milk by the spraying process.

The process described herein is applicable to the condensation of milk,including skim milk and milk containing butter fats, such as whole milkand cream, and as a preliminary step in the production ofskim milkpowder and milk powder containing butter fats, as whole milk powder orcream powder. The products embodying butter fats have certain improvedcharacteristics in addition to the features of improvement in the skimdated July 23, 1907, and new and improved milk powder products areproduced thereby.

plication are improved in the following 7 characteristics 1. Improvedflavor.

2. Improved keeping quality.

3. Less viscid for the same percentage of solids than the known product.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description,taken -in connection with the accompanying draw ings, in which- Figure 1is an elevation of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section of the liquid-condensing chamberand the vapor- -condensing chamber connected thereto.

Figure 3 is a cross section on linel 3-3, F1gure 2.

The apparatus broadly, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a condensingapparatus 1-consisting of a steam-jacketed liquidcondensing chamber 2, avapor-condensing chamber 3 connected thereto for the production of highvacuum therein and a series of milk-receiving tanks 4 connected to thechamber -2 by pipes 5 and 6, respectively, each in communication with acommon pipe -7'-, and each pro:

vided with valves -8. and 9, respectively, for controlling the flow ofthe liquid.

The tanks are likewise connected to the vapor-condensing apparatus 3- bypipes -10- and 11 for producing the same degree of vacuum in any or allof said tanks that exists in the vapor-condensing apparatus and theliquid-condensin chamber.

The pipe -12, shown in igure 2, leading from the vapor-condensingchamber 3 is-adapted to be connected to any suitable pump capable offorming a seal for.

said chamber while permitting the withdrawal of water therefrom.

The tanks 4 may, as shown, be suitably and independently connectedthrough valve conduits with a pipe 13 for conveying the milk from thetank or tanks as desired.

The liquid-condensing apparatus comprises, as shown, a verticallydisposed cylinder 14- formed preferably of thin sheet metal, such assheet tin, and having is lower edge confined between a bottom casting 15and a side casting --16-, the two castings and the lower portion of thecylinder being secured together in any suitable manner, as by bolts 17.an angular ring-shaped casting 18 to which is secured a verticallydisposed cylindrical shell 19,- surrounding the cylinder 14 and forminga chamber for receiving a heating agent, such as steam, as through asuitable inlet 20-. Any suitable condensation outlet may be provided.

- The upper edge of the cylinder -14is secured in any suitable manner,asby rivets The casting 16 carries or the like, to a ring-shaped casting2l which in turn is secured to a second angular ring-shaped casting--22, the upper edge of the shell -19 being secured to the casting 22 inany suitable manner, as by rivets or the like.

The casting -2lis preferably provided w1th a stepped portion upon itsinner side, in which and between the casting -2l and the cylinder 14,the edge of the cylindrical band-like member -23-- is adapted to beseated and suitable rivets 24 extend through the casting, through theplate and through the cylinder for securing the parts together for thepurposeof making a substantially smooth, even interior contour. Thecylinder is provided with frusto-conica] countersunk portions adapted tobe drawn into the opening in the band 23 by frusto-conical heads uponthe bolts or rivets 24-.

A ring member .25 of sufficient interior diameter is tightly fitted overthe band -23 and carries a cylindrical sheet metal section 26 A seriesof rivets or bolts 27 having theirinner ends countersunk in the band 28serve to connect these members together and the ring -25 is spaceddownwardly a sufiicient distance from the uper edge of the band -23 toform a liquid-receiving channel between the plate 23 and the section 26and this channel is provided with a suitable inlet 28 connected to aninlet pipe -29 for conveying the fluid to the trough.

The section -26 carries a ring-shaped, radially and inwardly projectingcasting 30 and this casting in turn carries a T- shaped ring 31, theT-shaped casting in turn carrying a flanged disk -32. A suitable grooveis formed between the T-shaped member 3l and the casting -30- for thereception of suitable packing to form an air-tight joint between thisportion of the apparatus and the cap 33 of a suitable vapor-condensingapparatus 34-, the nature of which will be hereinafter described.

Within the cylinder 11- is mounted a rotary beater -35- comprising avertical shaft 36 and having its lower end journaled in a bearing -37-formed in the casting --15 and its upper end removably mounted andfeather and keyed to a hub 38' provided with a suitable end-thrustspring 39 for resiliently holding the shaft to its bearing 37.

The hub 38 is formed integral with the Shaft 40 which has a, suitablebearing 4=l in the cap -33 the entrance 'of air to the capbeing-prevented by a suitable packed joint 42, and preferably the hub38- carries a suitable grease cup '43-- adapted to'collect oil or otherforeign matter that may flow from the packed joint 42, from which cupthe foreign matter is thrown ccntrifugally outwardly by the high speedrotation of the cup and is collected in the channel 4l formed by asuitable flanged, ring-shaped member l5- secured to the cap 33 anddischarging into the vapor-condensing apparatus 34.

The shaft 36 carries a series of radiating arms 46 and a' similar seriesof radiating braces 47 the former posi tioned adjacent the lower end ofthe shaft and the latter adjacent the upper end of the shaft, and may,as shown, be mounted, respectively, upon sleeve castings 48 and l9,respectively mounted upon the shaft These arms and braces carry a seriesof vertically disposed bars 50, in this specific illustration twelvein'number, and being equal in number to the radiating arms and braces,respectively. An intermediate series of radiating arms or braces 51.

may, as shown, be provided for giving to v the beater greater strengthand rigidity and these arms may in like manner be mounted or carried bya sleeve 52 secured 'to a sleeve 53.

The shaft -36 may, as shown, be pro-' vided with an external sleeve 53-and this sleeve may, as indicated, be formed in sections, between whichsections the castings may be positioned to assist in preventing endwisemovement of the same or, as shown, with casting -52, the castings may bemounted externally of the sleeve and secured thereto in any suitablemanner.

The beater bars or arms 50 preferably extend some distance above theband 23 and lie radially in close proximity to the interior surface ofthe cylinder 14 to compel the liquid to flow in a film upon suchsurface. A suitable series of bafiles are provided in connection withthe beater to cause the vapor to travel in a circuitous route and toimpinge against the surface of the baflies, whereby any liquid carriedin suspension will be separated from the vapor and returned bycentrifugal force to the moving film of milk. Ring-shaped bafiles 5 1are secured to the bars 50 adjacent the interior lower portion of thebeater, the upper of these baffles resting, as shown, upon the bracearms 51-. Intermediate the baffles 54 is a third baffle 55 of a diametersomewhat greater than the 1nter1or diameter of the ring baffle 54 andthe baffle 55 may, as shown, be mounted on the casting 52-. I

The upper portion of the beater carries a suitable ring-shaped bafile-56 and above it adisk bafile 57 of slightly greater diameter than theinterior diameter of the baffl 56-- and adapted to direct the vaporradially outward into contact with the hood --5S- carried by androtating with the beater and mounted upon-the baflie 56 and. verticallysecured to the bars 5()-. This may,'as shown, be formed in two parts, acylindrical portion 59 terminating adjacent the upper end of the beaterbars 50 and a frusto-conical portion 60 secured to the cylindricalportion and provided with a cylindrical flange rotating within theflange-upon the disk -32. Suitable openings may be provided between thebaflie 56 and the low'er cylindrical portion -59 so that any liquidcollected by the bailies or by the hood will flow downwardly upon thehood and be thrown centrifugally againstthe member.

26 and into the trough between said member and the upper edge of theplate The beater further preferably embodies a means for retarding theflow of the milk;

during the early portion of its progress down and around the interiorsurface of the cylinder and this means, as shown, comprises a series ofahgned spirally arranged strips constituting a spiral pathway 61-extending round and round the beater and,

' as shown, this spiral pathway is formed of separate strips -62' ofthin sheet metal arranged between the bars 50 and secured thereto andaligned with the adjacent strips between adjacent bars to form acontinuous spiral extending downwardly from the baflle 56- to the baflie54-, the inclination of the spiral being downwardly in the normaldirection of rotation of the beater whereby, under. rapid rotation,

the spiral exerts an elevating force upon the liquid, thereby retardingits flow. downwardly upon the surface of the cylinder..

To permit the discharge of the condensed liquid from the condensingchamber, the casting 15 is provided with a depression 63 at one edge andthe cylinder 14 is provided with an opening aligned with saiddepression-to permit the outflow of the liquid to the pipe leading tothe.

embodies a cylindrical chamber 61 communicating through neck -'65 withthe cap 33-. The chamber 64 contains a substantially centrally disposedpipe -66- provided with a plurality of erforations 67' for dischar'ingwater 1n the form of spray into the-chamber to condense the vaporwhich is drawn through the neck 65 thereby producing a high degree ofvacuum in the apparatus. The chamber 64- is further connected to asuitable pump or other apparatus constituting a water seal for the.chamber. The condensing chamber 64, neck 65 and cap -33. may preferablybe mounted in stationary condition while the remaining portion of theapparatus is pivotally mounted and is vertically movable toward and fromthe cap,

the particular mounting means forming no portion of the inventionclaimed herein and, as shown herein, the shell --l9- is provided wlthjournals 67 rotatably mounted in bearings --68, which bearings are inturn vertically slidable along bars --69 constituting a supportingframework for the apparatus.

The cylinder 14-- may, if desired, be:

reinforced in any suitable manner and for this purpose the castings 16--and 21 are provided with a series of axially proj ecting lugs 72 and 72-, respectively, to which lugs the opposite ends of the series ofreinforced bars -74- are secured. The

. bars -74: may be secured to the cylinder,

if desired, in any suitable manner, as by soldering, welding or thelike.

The operation ofthe apparatus will be readily understood. Milk isadmitted through pipe -29 in the proper regulated amount,'flows from theupper edge of the band '23 forming a portion of the cylinder 11- andflows downwardly upon I the interior surface of the cylinder and iscarried in rapid rotary motion-around the cylinder by the high speedmovement of the beater.

der 14', the exterior surface of said cylinder being heatedto a propertemperature,

causes the evaporation of a portion of the liquid constituents of themilk, the vapor moving inwardly while the heavier liquid is held bycentrifugal force to the surface of the cylinder, the centrifugal forceseparating the vapor from the liquid and causing the vapor to moveinwardly and upwardly into the condensing apparatus 64-- in its passagebeing impinged against the bafile members, which in turn removes anyremaining liquid carried by the vapor. The vapor is condensed by contactwith the sprays of water in the chamber- 64, whereby the high vacuumrequired for producing the product described herein is obtained.

The liquid flows in film form throughout 12.51

the entire expanse of the heated cylinder The contact of the milk infihn' form with the interior surface of the cylin- 14 and upon arrivelat the bottom of the apparatus is immediately discharged through pipe 7,due to the high degreeof vacuum produced in tanks --4.-,- through theirconnection with the neck .65'. The

liquid, the; role, with the heated in film form. While the milk remainssubstantially in its thin entering state during the early stages of itsflow down the interior surface of the cylinder, its movement is somewhatretarded by the elevating force of the spiral so that although itremains at all times in film form, it is subjected to contact with theheated surface for a period of time somewhat greater than would normallybe possible.

Although I have shown and described one specific form of apparatus andthe preferred manner of use of suchapparatus in the production of not,so far as the method is concerned, de sire to limit myself except asspecifically set forth in the claims to any particular sequence of stepsor to any particular form of construction of apparatus and, in so far asthe apparatus is concerned, I do not desire to limit myself to anyparticular form or construction of the same, as many changes may be madein the detailsof both form and construction without departing from thespirit of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

at I claim is:

1. In a condensing apparatus, a cylinder, a jacket surrounding thecylinder, means for causing the liquid to flow downwardly in a film uponthe interior surface of said cylinder, and spiral means tending toelevate the liquid whereby the natural flow of the liquid is retarded.

2. A condensing apparatus comprising a vertically disposed jacketedcontainer of substantially circular cross section, an inlet for thesubstance to be treated at the upper end of the container, centrifugalmeans for improved milk products, I do ing the flow of the causing thesubstance to assume the form of a thin layer on the interior surface ofthe container and for rapidly moving the layer circularly over thesurface while permitting the entire body of substance to move from theupper end toward the lower end of the con ainer, means exerting anelevating force upon the, liquid, a free outlet for the substance at thelower end. of the container, and a vapor-condensing apparatus in communication with the container.

3. A. condensingapparatus comprising a vertically disposed jacketedcylinder, means for introducing a liquid substance into the upper endofthe cylinder, means for: causing the liquid to fiow circularly overthe interior surface of downwardly upon such surface under the action ofgravity, helical means for retarding the flow of the liquid verticallyof the cylinder, and a free discharge for the liquid at the bottom ofthe chamber. 4. A condensing apparatus vertically disposed jacketedtrough surrounding the upper cylinder, centrifugal means for liquidoverflowing from said Inove rapidly in layer form circularly over theinterior surface of said cylinder while gravity moves the entire body ofliquid from the upper end of the cylinder toward the lower end thereof,helical means cylinder, a end of the causing the liquid vertically ofthe cylinder, and a free discharge for the liquid at the bottom of thecylinder.

In witness whereof I have hereunto'set my hand this 27th day ofNovember, 1916."

IRVING S. BEER-BELL. Witnesses: T '3 E. A. THOMPSON,

ALICE M. CANNON.

comprising a for retardthe cylinder while it flows 1 trough to

